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Late to the Party: ‘Killer Klowns from Outer Space’ (1988)

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Welcome back to another edition of Late to the Party, where the iHorror writers take turns checking off boxes on their personal unseen classics list.  With the release of the IT remake and the premiere of the new season of American Horror Story, it appears as if scary clowns are all the rage again.  This has forced me to make a rather embarrassing admission; I have never seen the 1988 cult classic Killer Klowns from Outer Space.  Until now.

Late to the Party - Killer Klowns from Outer Space

Killer Klowns from Outer Space (1988), courtesy Trans World Entertainment (TWE).

Going in, there were a couple of things I knew about Killer Klowns from Outer Space.  Of course, I knew what the titular Killer Klowns looked like, since they are the film’s main iconic image.  Also, being an old punk rocker, I was familiar with the Dickies theme song.  But, other than that, I was going in blind when I popped in the $7.99 blu-ray from Walmart (I splurged on the limited edition Dia de los Muertos-inspired cover version).

Late to the Party - Killer Klowns from Outer Space

This one.  Image courtesy Walmart.

Basically, Killer Klowns from Outer Space is one big laugh riot.  There’s nothing serious about the film at all.  It’s a standard alien invasion flick along the lines of The Blob or Invasion of the Body Snatchers (in fact, it even lifts plot points from both of those influential movies), only with clowns (sorry, Klowns) as the alien invaders.  It’s a glorified B-movie.

Late to the Party: Killer Klowns from Outer Space

Killer Klowns from Outer Space (1988), courtesy Trans World Entertainment (TWE).

What makes Killer Klowns from Outer Space a “glorified” B-movie instead of just your run-of-the-mill B-movie is the klowns themselves.  For what seems to be a very low-budget production, the alien Klown effects are very well done.  They’re more elaborate than just actors in makeup; the klowns look to be part rubber monster suit and part animatronic puppetry.  The klowns also take turns pulling out all the stops while terrorizing the public, doing clowny things like using victims as ventriloquist dummies and attacking bystanders with shadow puppets.  They even stick the people they abduct into cotton candy cocoons.  The story may lack creativity, but the appearances and the actions of the klowns are inventive enough to make the movie fun, and for a B-movie, that’s really all you can ask for.

Late to the Party: Killer Klowns from Outer Space

Killer Klowns from Outer Space (1988), courtesy Trans World Entertainment (TWE).

I’ve personally never been particularly afraid of clowns, so in the end, Killer Klowns from Outer Space is exactly the movie that I thought it would be.  How could it be any different with a title like that?  The klowns did surprise me, as they were much more animated and “monster-like” than I thought they’d be, and some of their methods of attack are downright ingenious.  But, for the most part, Killer Klowns from Outer Space is a movie about just that – killer clowns from outer space – and doesn’t pretend to be anything else

 

Come on back next week for another edition of Late to the Party, or check out older ones you may have missed in the meantime!

(Feature image courtesy Chris Fischer)

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New Poster Reveal For Nicolas Cage’s Survival Creature Feature ‘Arcadian’ [Trailer]

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Nicolas Cage Arcadian

In the latest cinematic venture featuring Nicolas Cage, Arcadian emerges as a compelling creature feature, teeming with suspense, horror, and emotional depth. RLJE Films has recently released a series of new images and a captivating poster, offering audiences a glimpse into the eerie and thrilling world of “Arcadian”. Scheduled to hit theaters on April 12, 2024, the film will later be available on Shudder and AMC+, ensuring a wide audience can experience its gripping narrative.

Arcadian Movie Trailer

The Motion Picture Association (MPA) has given this film an “R” rating for its “bloody images,” hinting at the visceral and intense experience awaiting viewers. The film draws inspiration from acclaimed horror benchmarks like “A Quiet Place,” weaving a post-apocalyptic tale of a father and his two sons navigating a desolate world. Following a catastrophic event that depopulates the planet, the family faces the dual challenge of surviving their dystopian environment and eluding mysterious nocturnal creatures.

Joining Nicolas Cage in this harrowing journey are Jaeden Martell, known for his role in “IT” (2017), Maxwell Jenkins from “Lost in Space,” and Sadie Soverall, featured in “Fate: The Winx Saga.” Directed by Ben Brewer (“The Trust”) and penned by Mike Nilon (“Braven”), “Arcadian” promises a unique blend of poignant storytelling and electrifying survival horror.

Maxwell Jenkins, Nicolas Cage, and Jaeden Martell 

Critics have already begun to praise “Arcadian” for its imaginative monster designs and exhilarating action sequences, with one review from Bloody Disgusting highlighting the film’s balance between emotional coming-of-age elements and heart-pounding horror. Despite sharing thematic elements with similar genre films, “Arcadian” sets itself apart through its creative approach and action-driven plot, promising a cinematic experience filled with mystery, suspense, and relentless thrills.

Arcadian Official Movie Poster

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‘Winnie the Pooh: Blood and Honey 3’ Is a Go with Enhanced Budget and New Characters

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Winnie the Pooh 3

Wow, they’re churning things out fast! The upcoming sequel “Winnie the Pooh: Blood and Honey 3” is officially moving forward, promising an expanded narrative with a larger budget and the introduction of beloved characters from A.A. Milne’s original tales. As confirmed by Variety, the third installment in the horror franchise will welcome Rabbit, the heffalumps, and the woozles into its dark and twisted narrative.

This sequel is a part of an ambitious cinematic universe that reimagines children’s stories as horror tales. Alongside “Winnie the Pooh: Blood and Honey” and its first sequel, the universe includes films such as “Peter Pan’s Neverland Nightmare”, “Bambi: The Reckoning,” and “Pinocchio Unstrung”. These movies are set to converge in the crossover event “Poohniverse: Monsters Assemble,” slated for a 2025 release.

Winnie the Pooh Poohniverse

The creation of these films was made possible when A.A. Milne’s 1926 children’s book “Winnie-the-Pooh” entered the public domain last year, allowing filmmakers to explore these cherished characters in unprecedented ways. Director Rhys Frake-Waterfield and producer Scott Jeffrey Chambers, of Jagged Edge Productions, have led the charge in this innovative endeavor.

The inclusion of Rabbit, heffalumps, and woozles in the upcoming sequel introduces a new layer to the franchise. In Milne’s original stories, heffalumps are imagined creatures resembling elephants, while woozles are known for their weasel-like characteristics and a penchant for stealing honey. Their roles in the narrative remain to be seen, but their addition promises to enrich the horror universe with deeper connections to the source material.

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How to Watch ‘Late Night with the Devil’ from Home: Dates and Platforms

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Late Night With The Devil

For fans eager to dive into one of this year’s most talked-about horror films from the comfort of their own home, “Late Night with the Devil” will be available for streaming exclusively on Shudder starting April 19, 2024. This announcement has been highly anticipated following the film’s successful theatrical release by IFC Films, which saw it earning rave reviews and a record-breaking opening weekend for the distributor.

“Late Night with the Devil” emerges as a standout horror film, captivating audiences and critics alike, with Stephen King himself offering high praise for the 1977-set film. Starring David Dastmalchian, the movie unfolds on Halloween night during a live late-night talk show broadcast that disastrously unleashes evil across the nation. This found footage-style film not only delivers scares but also authentically captures the aesthetic of the 1970s, drawing viewers into its nightmarish scenario.

David Dastmalchian in Late Night with the Devil

The film’s initial box office success, opening to $2.8 million in 1,034 theaters, underscores its wide appeal and marks the highest opening weekend for an IFC Films release. Critically acclaimed, “Late Night with the Devil” boasts a 96% positive rating on Rotten Tomatoes from 135 reviews, with the consensus praising it for rejuvenating the possession horror genre and showcasing David Dastmalchian’s exceptional performance.

Rotten Tomatoes score as of 3/28/2024

Simon Rother of iHorror.com encapsulates the film’s allure, emphasizing its immersive quality that transports viewers back to the 1970s, making them feel as if they are part of the eerie “Night Owls” Halloween broadcast. Rother lauds the film for its meticulously crafted script and the emotional and shocking journey it takes viewers on, stating, “This whole experience will have viewers of the Cairnes brothers’ film glued to their screen… The script, from beginning to end, is neatly sewn together with an ending that’ll have jaws on the floor.” You can read the full review here.

Rother further encourages audiences to watch the film, highlighting its multifaceted appeal: “Whenever it is made available to you, you must attempt to view the Cairnes Brothers’ latest project as it will make you laugh, it will creep you out, it will amaze you, and it might even strike an emotional cord.”

Set to stream on Shudder on April 19, 2024, “Late Night with the Devil” offers a compelling blend of horror, history, and heart. This film is not just a must-watch for horror aficionados but for anyone looking to be thoroughly entertained and moved by a cinematic experience that redefines the boundaries of its genre.

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